By Arabella Balderama

A Pride Festival comprised of different activities, mainly Pride Expo, Pride March, and Pride Night, was held at the Quezon City (QC) Memorial Circle on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with the theme “Love Laban: A Celebration of the Fight for Love in All Forms and Ways”.

The culminating celebration was led by Pride PH, a network of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) organizations in the Philippines advocating for equal rights.

“More than a celebration, the Pride Festival is a call to end the discrimination, hate, and prejudice among members of the LGBTQIA+,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

“We are holding this activity not because this sector is seeking special treatment. Rather, what they long for is simply a halt to the undeserved ill treatment and denial of opportunities they continue to suffer from,” Belmonte added.

The Pride Expo was filled with solidarity speeches from various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), companies, and international government agencies that contributed to the event’s success, some of which set up booths surrounding the area.

Additionally, there were performances from different bands, celebrities, and media influencers who wished to support the advocacy of the LGBTQIA+ community — equality.

Senator Risa Hontiveros then joined the Pride March proper, connecting to the hearts of the LGBTQIA+ community by delivering an inspirational message.

“We are here! We are queer! We are proud & unstoppable! Kahit gaano pa nila katagal harangin ang SOGIE Equality Bill, mayroon silang hindi maitatanggi: you exist,” cheered Hontiveros, encouraging the crowd to chant. 

Meanwhile, the Pride Night began with an opening talk from the Pride PH convenors, Vince Liban, Mela Habijan, and Rodina Singh.

The convenors remarked that although what the LGBTQIA+ community fights for is not called “Maharlika Fund”, it is rather a “Mahal Kita Bill”.

The program continued with allies and LGBTQIA+ members showcasing their talents until the day officially ended with a colorful fireworks display, as well as confirmation of another Pride celebration scheduled for next year, June 29, 2024.

The QC Local Government Unit (LGU) hosted the Pride Festival for the second time after last year’s Pride Month commemoration.

Towards inclusivity

In the same Pride Festival, the QC LGU launched a program called “Right to Care Card,” allowing LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions for each other.

“In the eyes of the law, queer couples are not recognized as next-of-kin during medical emergencies. This makes them powerless in making important medical decisions for their partners,” stated the official Twitter account of the Right to Care Card.

The Right to Care Card is a Special Power of Attorney card that permits queer people to decide on healthcare choices for their partners, similar to a civil marriage contract.

“Dito sa care card na ito, ang isang LGBT couple na matagal nang nagmamahalan, through a Special Power of Attorney, will be able to have authority over the healthcare decisions na kailangan gawin para [sa kanyang] partner,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

On top of all the occurrences in QC, a Metro Manila Pride March and Festival themed “Tayo ang Kulayaan” was also celebrated simultaneously in the Circuit Event Grounds, Makati City.

Thumbnail from Pride PH